Sidbury honours its fallen soldier
Charity cyclists arrive in to Sidbury. Ref shs 1954-13-15AW. Picture: Alex Walton - Credit: Archant
Friends, family and comrades of a fallen Sidbury soldier paid their respects at a special service - as part of a 700-mile charity bike ride.
The charity cyclist team arrive at Sidbury cemetery. Ref shs 1966-13-15AW. Picture: Alex Walton - Credit: Archant
Seven members of the Queen Royal Lancers stopped at the grave of Corporal Martin Lee Bailey last Thursday, March 26.
Squadron Sergeant Major Leon Reeve organised the 700-mile trip to raise £10,000 for the Army Benevolent Fund.
He said: “This has been quite a tough day with five punctures. I do not think we have had this many people at previous graves.
“Thank-you for the great support and to those people who have been following us on Facebook and Twitter.”
A minute's silence is observed. Ref shs 1974-13-15AW. Picture: Alex Walton - Credit: Archant
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The five-day cycle challenge took the soldiers across the country, visiting the graves of 13 of their fallen colleagues.
Corporal Bailey, known as Bill to his friends, was a member of the Queen’s Royal Lancers from 1986 and served in Northern Ireland and in the first Gulf War.
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He was killed during a training accident in Canada in 1994 with fellow corporal Robert Hawksley.
Corporal Bailey’s mother Christine Syrad, travelled from Leicestershire to see the soldiers cycle into the village.
She said: “It was amazing, I was so thrilled.
“It makes you realise they are not forgotten.
“It is the most wonderful thing for them to do. They did not know Martin, but he is one of them.”
To donate, visit the Queen Royal Lancers Just Giving page at https://www.justgiving.com/Leon-Reeve/.
